HONDA CR-V LOOKS TOUGH
Honda's CR-V was already leading its class before the 2017 model was completely redesigned.
And the latest version leaves little doubt that its competitors are going to have to work to compete with this grown-up and sophisticated SUV.
Drivers who have owned older versions of the CR-V won't believe their eyes. With a brand new, more aggressive-looking exterior, a refined interior and a new turbo engine — the latest model has stepped up its game, big time. This is not your grandma's CR-V.
The interior of the Touring model is plush with heated, leather-trimmed seats, shift knob and steering wheel. Wood trim and stitched leather accent the sleek dash and doors. There's a 7-inch display for the entertainment and
navigation system and a push-button ignition.
It also has a decent power moon roof and touchsensitive volume control on the steering wheel.
In addition to the refined interior, the CR-V has a range of safety features that you'd typically find in higher-priced vehicles.
There's adaptive cruise control, a collision mitigation system and lanekeeping assistance — all of which make it almost unnecessary to be behind the wheel when you're driving. The car slows and speeds up with traffic while staying inside the lane lines as you go.
There's also a rear crosstraffic monitor and blindspot detection, which go a long way toward preventing accidents.
It also sports an exterior temperature display, something other CR-Vs didn't have in the past.
The exterior has a significantly more elegant road presence. From the helm, it just feels bigger. The hood is more sculpted, making it feel more like a Ford Explorer than an Escape. The front grille is a bit mean-looking and the Touring edition sports 18-inch, two-toned alloy wheels.
The new 1.5-L turbo engine eliminates any hesitation that drivers may have experienced in earlier models. Gone are the days of planning a full pedal to the metal to enter traffic. This vehicle accelerates with confidence and easily transfers power to the wheels using a continuously variable transmission. The CVT achieves 27 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway for an average of 29 mpg — which is amazing considering that it is all-wheel-drive.
The steering and suspension meet the high bar set by this vehicle. It handles curves like a sports car and takes bumps in the road with ease.
It somehow feels like a heavier vehicle in the way it doesn't get bounced around.
The bottom line is that at $34,635, this is an affordable and fun-todrive compact SUV with an abundance of luxury features. And the turbo gives this vehicle the pep it needs without compromising the fuel economy that everyone has come to expect in the CR-V.